Covid - PCR test

Ah yes @BlueBelle I see what you mean!

Must say that I do know loads of elderly people who have/recently had Covid. All had been vaccinated, etc. This obviously did work as virtually all of them were unwell for a week, felt really poorly for two of those days, then recovered and within a week of negative tests were back to normal. Many of these also had other things like asthma, etc.

Thank goodness, the vaccinations do seem to be working, in that it makes this just a nasty winter illness - for most.

argymargy that’s what we were told “probably” which means nothing so no point in it, in my opinion

Does anyone know whether a PCR is needed to qualify for the medication which is only available for the vulnerable?

Does the PCR result actually report the strain? “They were told it was probably omicron” means nothing. As others have said, I wouldn’t bother with PCR unless I needed proof for a specific reason. All testing comes with a monetary and environmental cost.

Ladyleftfieldlover

Thank you. It seems a mild dose atm and I’m having plenty of rest and drinking lots of water. I imagine OH will get it and unfortunately he suffers from asthma so we’re hoping he can avoid it or suffer mildly too.

My DH has asthma, Ladyleftfieldlover, and was the one we worried about. He’s had it twice now - presumably Delta in October and then another positive test about a month ago, which was likely to have been Omicron. Oddly, of all the extended family who’ve had any symptoms, his were the mildest, with a slight sniffle each time.

Whiff from everything I ve read I believe everyone is getting omicron now which seems milder although still pretty draining but much more easy to catch I think it has taken over from delta I don’t see that there is any need or point in doing a PCR if you have a strong reading When my grandkids had their second dose of CoviD before christmas they did a PCR and were told it ‘was probably omicron’

Should have put all are triple jabbed and had flu jab as well.

Ladyleftfieldlover for me personally I would still get a PCR test as it will show the strain. I know we don't have to be it's still free and can be delivered to your home. Also with your husband's health why take the risk. Both variants are still about and won't belong before it mutants into another one.

I know of 3 people whom have Covid at the moment and they are very ill . The couple this is their second time they have had it. They had the Delta last year and have Omicron now.

Thank you. It seems a mild dose atm and I’m having plenty of rest and drinking lots of water. I imagine OH will get it and unfortunately he suffers from asthma so we’re hoping he can avoid it or suffer mildly too.

When we had Covid back in October, we had to book PCR tests to confirm the LFT ones. That doesn’t apply now, unless as you say you need proof for an insurance claim, etc.

Here’s hoping you have a mild case as we did, OP. Look after yourself, with plenty of fluids and rest.

Thank you, those two red lines popped up so quickly, there was no doubt it was positive.

I agree with Farmor15.

If your LFT was clearly positve, and you have symptoms, you almost certainly have Covid. I can't see any point in getting PCR.